Sea Launch launches latest satellite

LONG BEACH, Calif. (AP) — A communications satellite built for France-based Eutelsat has been launched from Sea Launch AG's oceangoing rocket pad in the Pacific Ocean.

The company says a rocket carrying the satellite blasted off Monday. An hour later, the satellite was lofted into orbit.

Sea Launch was formed in 1995 with Boeing Co. as a 40 percent owner. But financial problems forced Sea Launch to file for Chapter 11 protection in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in June 2009. It emerged in October 2010 with a new majority owner.

The launch platform and command ship sailed from Long Beach, California, to the equatorial Pacific for the liftoff. Sea Launch, which is based in Switzerland, has been lofting heavy satellites into orbit since 1999.